Sixers remain perfect at home behind Joel Embiid's 42 point all star performance over the Hornets

The Sixers maintained their perfect record at home on Friday, as they secured an overtime victory over the Hornets 133-132. Joel Embiid carried the team in the fourth quarter, hitting some clutch free throws and a three pointer to force the extra period.

Philadelphia had jumped out to a 21 point lead before poor defense and an offensive eruption from the Hornets' all star Kemba Walker eroded the Sixers' momentum with 22 of his 30 points all coming after the third quarter.

Embiid proved to be too much as he finished the game with 42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and most importantly he made a career high 19 free throws.

The Sixers' seven home victories to begin a season are the most the franchise has had since 2002-03 when they won 10 straight home games to start the season (Elias Sports Bureau).

This was the first time Philadelphia won a home game that went into overtime since Nov. 11, 2016, when they beat the Indiana Pacers, 109-105 (Basketball-Reference).

The win on Friday extended the winning streak against the Hornets to eight straight, dating back to Jan. 13, 2017. The eight game streak is the team's longest ever against Charlotte.

Joel Embiid

Matt Slocum

Joel Embiid continues to make history

Embiid leads the league with 12 double-double of the season. His 12 double-doubles are the most a player has had over the first 13 games of a season since Hall of Famer Moses Malonealso had 12 double-doubles in 1983-84 (Basketball-Reference).

Friday was Embiid's second 40 point performance of the season and the his third of his career. With two games scoring 40 or more this season, Embiid is tied for the most in the league with Damian Lillard of Portland. The last Philadelphia player with multiple 40 or more point games in a season was Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson, when he had 15 games with 40 plus points in 2005-06 (Basketball-Reference).

Head coach Brett Brown spoke about Emiid's play after the game sharing, "I mean, he responded all over the place. We kept going to him, he gets that deep positioning, he creates a collision and physicality that he presents that exposes any type of physical play on the defensive side. He was rewarded by going to the free-throw line, and I think only missed one free throw down the stretch."

Brown continued when asked about saving Embiid for the back to back, stating "I brought him back probably 45 seconds, maybe a minute earlier than I would normally, in that fourth period. Then, you know, you get into overtime and you do what we do. But no, I wish I didn’t have to play him that many minutes."

The last @NBA player to post eight 30-10 games within their team's first 13 games to begin a season was Wilt Chamberlain in 1965-66, per @bball_ref.